Weight for boat anchor

ABSTRACT

A compact anchor hoist is mounted on the bow of a boat and provides for unique cooperation between an anchor socket, a spring-tensioned shaft and pressure member arranged for extension between spaced-apart support members so that from a remote position the boat anchor can be retrieved and automatically launched to and from an inboard position on the boat.

United States Patent Charles F. Davis Portland Trailer Court 9000Northeast Union, Portland, Oreg. 97211 767,595 1 l Aug. 27, 1968 Jan.12, 1971 lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented WEIGHT FOR BOAT ANCHOR '14Claims, 21 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 114/210 Int. Cl. 1363b 21/22 Field of Search 114/210 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,071,097 1/ 1963 Dowrelio114/210 3,074,370 1/1963 Seiger 114/210 Primary Examiner-Trygve M. BlixAttorney-John E. Reilly i ABSTRACT: A compact anchor hoist is mounted onthe bow of a boat and provides for unique cooperation between an anchorsocket, a spring-tensioned shaft and pressure member arranged forextension between spaced-apart support members so that from a remoteposition the boat anchor can be retrieved and automatically launched toand from an inboard position on the boat.

PATENT'EDJIAN'IZIQYI S 3 554153 I SHEETZVUFS INVENTOR c ar/es F. Dow's.ATTOR Ev mm JANI2I97i m; or 5 INVENTOR.

(nor/es F. Dav/s A ORNEY I "PATENTEflJmwn KHZ - mvsmoa. CHARLES E DAVISI ATT%EY 1 WEIGHT ron BOAT ANCHOR This invention generally relatestonovel and improved anchor hoists, commonly referred to as anchordavits, and

more particularly relates to an anchor davit to facilitate the retrievaland automatic launching of a boat anchor in a dependable, simplifiedmanner. r I

It is customary to employ anchor davits positioned at some point on theboat deck, usually adjacent to the bow of the boat, to enable launchingand retrieval of the boat anchor from some point inwardlyof the bow soas to avoid the difficulties and attendant risks of a person going nearthe edge of the boat either to withdraw the anchor from the water or tolaunch it, and devices of this type are especially useful in smaller,pleasure-type boats which generally possess less stability than theIargercraft. For this'reason, it is highly desirable that the hoist ordavit unit occupy a minimum of space and afford optimum leverage tofacilitate manual retrieval; and further it be-capableof mounting insuch a way as not to present a bulkylobstructionl'on, or' projectionfrom, the boat and will permit retrieval of a boat anchor by swingingover a relatively short radius from an outboard to an inboard positionas well as topermit-autornatic launching when the anchor rope isreleased. 7 y

It is therefore an 'object of the present .inventionto provide foranovel and. improved anchor davit which can be con- I v trolled from apoint removed-inwardly of the bow or edge of a FIG. 4 is a frontelevational view of the davit as illustrated in 1 FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on a plane passing along line 5-5of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on a plane passing along line 6-6of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on a plane passingalong line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view taken on a plane passing along line 8-8 in FIG. 7 withportions broken away.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on a plane passing along 9-9 ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the rotatably adjustablemounting shaft and the keeper pin exploded therefrom.

FIG. 11 is a reduced elevational view of the davit with the anchorsocket in an intermediate position.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 with the anchor socket in itsinboard or stored position.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on a plane passing along line13-13 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the keeper pin and tab.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of-an alternate form of davit inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. '16 is a top-plan view of the alternate form shown in FIG. 15'.

FIG. I7 is a view partially in section of the alternate form of f davitand illustrating. the 'end limits of movement of the anchor socket.

its inboard stored position'to an' outboard position as a I preliminaryto lowering'of an anchor and iscapable of being adjustable for automaticlaunching of different weight anchors. r f i I It is an additionalobject of thepresent invention to provide an anchor davit which ishighlyefiective and substantially troublefree in use while beingreadilyconformable for mounting on any size boat, is further comprised of aminimum number of parts to occupy a minimum space and is capable oflaunchingand retrieval of an anchor to and from an inboard position byturning of the anchor about a very short radius, and the anchor beingoriented during retrieval so .that the flukes are aligned substantiallyparallel to the boat deck in the stored position. v

In accordance with the present-invention,- alternate forms of an anchordavit may be mounted on the bow of the boat to effect retrieval andautomatic release of a boat anchor, and in each form the davit unit-isessentially comprised of an anchor socket which is secured for rotationon a shaft journaled between compact mounting portions, and "springmeans is adjustably secured to the ends of the shaft to regulate thetension of the shaft for automatic launching of different weightanchors. The'anchor rope is guided through the anchor davit for upwardinsertion of the anchor into the anchor socket, and the anchor socketmaintains proper alignment of the flukes on the anchor as the socket iscaused to rotate about the supporting shaft to advance the anchor to theinboard stored position while building up the desired tension in thespring means. When the anchor is released, the tension force applied bythe spring to one or both ends of the shaft is sufficient to advance theanchor from the inboard position to an outboard downwardly dependingposition where it is free to fall by gravity into the water.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the alternate.forms of the present invention will become more readily appreciated andunderstood from a consideration of the following detailed description,when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

FIG. I is an elevational view of the bow of a boat illustrating one formof davit of the present invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of one of the housing members fonning a partofthe alternate form of davit;

FIG. -19 is aside elevational view of the inner side of one of thehousing members shown in FIG. 18

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 20-20 of FIG. 15; and 7FIG. 21 is a front view of the alternate form of davit, in accordancewith the present invention.

Now referring in more detail to the drawings, one form of the inventionis shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, being adaptable for mounting on the deck of aboat. As best seen from FIGS. 1, 3

- and 5, a davit 10 is mounted on the bow 12 of a boat, and ineludes anelongated flat, rectangularbase member 14 fastened to the boat deck bysuitable means such as bolts 16. Vertically extending plates or supports18 are positioned along opposite longitudinal edges of the base 14 andadjacent to the forward edge of the base so as to project slightlybeyond the base in 20 in a plurality of rotatable positions with respectto the plate, the shaft is provided with an enlarged turning head 24 atone end and an inwardly extending slot 26 at the opposite end, thelatter releasably receiving a keeper pin 28. In turn, the plate orsupport 18 adjacent the slotted end 26 includes pairs of diametricallyopposed slots 30 extending radially from the edge of the aperturetogether with an enlarged cavity 32 at the inside of each slot 30. Toassemble the keeper pin 28 on the shaft 20, the keeper pin is providedwith a tab 34 which can be grasped for insertion of the pin through apair of aligned slots 30 and slots 26 on the end of the shaft until thepin is aligned with the cavities bordering the aligned slots, and thenby turning the tab the pin will be advanced into the cavity so as toprevent its accidental withdrawal through the slots 30. As shown in FIG.14, the keeper pin 28 may be formed with a reduced central portion 29and the tab 34', being of nylon or plastic, may suitably include atubular portion 35 of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter ofthe reduced central portion 29 and capable of being expanded slightlyfor positioning on the central portion 29. In addition, an undercutportion 36 is formed within the sidewalls of the slot 26 to permitlimited twisting of the keeper pin 28 relative to slot 26.

In order to guide and align the anchor for movement between the outboardand inboard positions, an anchor socket 38 is mounted for rotation onthe shaft 20. The rear end 40 of the socket is reduced in width andprovided with an aperture 42 for transverse insertion of the shafttherethrough. As seen from FIG. 5, the anchor socket 38 includes aforwardly opening chamber 44 at one sidewall of the socket whichterminates at its entrance in an outwardly curved lower lip 46 with theopposite sidewall provided with a longitudinally extending, uppergrooved portion 48, the reduced upper groove portion 38 convergingrearwardly and cooperating with the chamber 44 for the reception of theanchor shank in a manner to be hereinafter described. In order toprovide for the passage of the anchor rope 50 through the socket, a ropeopening 52 is formed through the upper closed portion of the socket andcommunicates with the rear of the chamber 44, the edges 54 of theopening being outwardly curved to minimize fraying or wearing of therope 50.

A pressure arm 56 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 20 with the innerend of the arm 56 including a pair of spaced lugs 58 for insertion ofthe shaft 20 and flanking opposite sides of the inner end 40 of thesocket 38 so as to permit rotational movement of the pressure arm 56 inthe same plane as the anchor socket 38. In turn, the outer free end ofthe pressure arm 56 is provided with a rotatably mounted roller guide60, and the anchor rope 50 extends over the guide 60 and rearwardlybetween a stationary roller guide 62 which is mounted at the rearwardextremity of the base 14.

Referring to FIG. 10, it will be observed that the slot 26 furtherincludes an inner reduced extension 66 for reception of the inner end 70of a coiled spring biasing element 72. The spring is coiled about theshaft 20 with the outer end of the spring engaging a stub 74 rigidlyaffixed to and projecting outwardly from the side of the pressure arm56, and the spring is oriented to urge the pressure arm from an inboardposition parallel to the boat to an outboard position substantially pasta plane perpendicular to the plane of the boat deck. A stop 76 isrigidly affixed to the adjoining support 18 so as to engage the stub 74and limit the outward movement of the pressure arm 56. In order toregulate the tension exerted by the spring on the shaft, the shaft maybe turned or rotated in a direction winding up the spring to increaseits spring tension prior to insertion of the keeper pin into assembledrelation wllfi the slot 26 and aligned slots on the mounting plate.

In use, when the anchor is to be withdrawn from an outboard to aninboard position, the inner end of the anchor rope is pulled to raisethe anchor until the anchor shank is introduced into the socket chamber44, and the continued pulling on the rope will cause the entire socketto be rotated upwardly with the inserted anchor until contact is madewith the pressure arm 56. Further retraction of the rope 60 serves toeffect a rearward rotation both of the socket 38 and pressure arm 56against the force of the spring 72 thus enabling a slow and controlledrearward rotation of the anchor into a position parallel with the bae14, and at which time the rope 50 may be tied down to maintain theanchor and davit in the retracted position. It will be noted that theportion 48 of the socket serves to align the anchor flukes parallel tothe boat deck, since the flukes upon rotation of the socket past theperpendicular will tend to assume a horizontal orientation as the anchorshaft enters the reduced portion 48. If desired, a pad 80 of rubber orrubberlike material may be attached to the base 14 rearwardly of themounting plates to support the anchor in its inboard position andminimize any noise or vibration of the anchor flukes.

In order to lower the anchor, the anchor rope 50 is untied and releasedwhereupon the spring 70 is operative to urge both the pressure arm 56and the anchor socket 33 forwardly until the pressure arm contacts thestop 76, the anchor and anchor socket 38 at this point continuing theoutboard movement under the influence of gravity.

In the alternate form of invention shown in FIGS. 15 to 21, the anchordavit is made up of a base plate 88 which is similarly attached to theboat deck preferably adjacent to the bow of the boat, and upstandingshallow housings 82 and 83 are mounted in spaced parallel relation toone another along the opposite longitudinal edges of the base and towardthe forward edge thereof. Each housing is correspondingly provided withinner and outer spaced vertical plates 84 and 85 with a bottominterconnecting strip 86 affixed by suitable bolt members 86 to the baseplate. In addition, the inner and outer spaced plates 84 and 85 of eachhousing are joined by a front vertical connecting strip 87, the latterverging into an upper curved connecting portion 88 and a rearward,downwardly inclined portion 89 which terminates at the base of eachhousing. In this form it will be noted that the front vertical edgesection 87 is flush with the forward edge of the base plate and with theedge of the boat 50 as not to overhand or project beyond the end.

A supporting shaft 92 is journaled at opposite ends and centrally wheelapertures 93 and 94 provided in the housings 82 and 83 respectively. Inorder to adjustably position the shaft with respect to the housings, aratchet wheel 96 has an inwardly projecting stub shaft 97 afiixed to oneend of the shaft. the ratchet teeth along the outer peripheral surfaceof the wheel being engaged by a keeper in the form of a latch or dog 98pivotally connected to the outer plate of the housing member 83 inspaced relation forwardly and slightly above the wheel with a lowercatch element 99 at its free end which, as shown in FIG. 15, is movabledownwardly into intermeshing engagement with one of the teeth on theratchet wheel 96 to lock the wheel against rotation in thecounterclockwise direction.

A spring biasing element 100 is enclosed within each housing 82 and 83and has an inner end 10] inserted in a slot 102 at each respective endof the shaft 92; and in turn the outer end 104 of the spring biasingelement is folded over and behind an end of a movable roller bearing105. In a manner to be described the roller bearing serves as a guidefor the anchor rope as well as to control the spring tension as theanchor socket and anchor are withdrawn from the outboard to inboardposition, and to this end the roller bearing has opposite ends insertedin arcuate slots 106, the slots being formed in the upper peripheraledge surfaces of the inner plates 85 so as to permit free translatorymovement of the roller hearing from the forward and upper curved edge ofthe housing rearwardly through substantially 180 to a lower positionadjacent to the base. It will be noted from FIG. 17 that the arcuateslots form arcs about the axis of the supporting shaft 92 so that themovable roller bearing will clear and be movable past a stationaryroller bearing 108 which extends transversely between the lower, rearedges of the housing members. Each of the roller bearings 105 and 108 isfreely rotatable about its own axis so that an anchor rope can be easilypayed in and out in effecting the launching and retrieval of the anchor.

In the alternate form, an anchor socket 110 is of relatively flat, openconstruction having opposed, inwardly facing longitudinally extendingchannel members 112 which are interconnected at their lower ends by anupper cross brace 113 of limited width and a lower relatively broadconnecting plate 114. The brace member 113 is provided with anintermediate raised portion 115 which serves to align or to orient theanchor in the manner described with reference to the guide portion 48 inthe first form of invention. In turn, the lower connecting plateincludes a rope guide 116 formed centrally of its inner terminal end byupwardly curved sides 117, the latter being formed by bending portionsof the connecting plate upwardly and inwardly toward one another fromopposite sides of the plate. Opposite ends of the channel members 112are interconnected by a generally U-shaped yoke 118 which is similarlyprovided with a centrally located rope guide opening 119 and incooperation-withthe guide 116 permits upward rearwardexten sion of theanchor rope through the anchor socket, over the'guide roller'l andbeneath the sta tionary roller 'l08,*as' best seen fromjFI'G. 17. Theanchor socket 110 is rotatably mounted'on the shaft 92 by a rearwardlydirected tongue 122 whichterminates ina transverse sleeve 124surrounding the central part of the shaft and is freely rotatable" aboutthe shaft while the shaft is held infixed relation by the'keeper 98;Further it will be seen that the tongue 122 is directed downwardly at aslight angle away from the longitudinal-axis of the anchor socket sothatin the extended outboard position the 'socketi's' directed downwardlymore nearly in a'vertical'direction without necessity of mounting thesupporting shaft 92' and housing members. in overhanging relation' tothe edge of the'boat and alsoto afi'ord better leverage in withdrawingthe anchor v socketand'anchor'rearwardly to the-inbtr dP iti n.

In operationyit will beobserved'that the anchor rope will springelements-100', since-the inner ends of the springs are a held in fixedrelation on the' shaft-QZ 'by the 'keeper 98 and ratchet wlieelt flfi lnother 'wordsas shown inFlGl 1a the p g l ment- 190baltorque spring whichis wound outwardly in 'a clockwise' direction-about the shaft so that'rearward movement ofthe outer end of the springs under the urgingotthe'roller bearing-will develop increased tension in the springs astheyyieldingly resist the rotation of thef'anchor socket position. Again the*anchorbolt may be secured or tied to retainthe anchor-socket and anchorin the inactive, inboard position.v Subsequently; to weigh anchor; therope is releasedEand the tension buildupin-the In the alternateformit-will ,be observed that the shaft and roller guide membersliaveopposite ends encased or enclosed within the housing members 8 2and 83and the spring elementslflt) are:fullyencased:within the shells'so as tobe fully protectedflagainst foreign elements; 'if des ire'd,'the housingmembers 82 and 83ymay be composedof a clear durable plastic materialarid serve as'covers for boat lights which for While alternate forms ofthe invention have been herein set forth anddescribed, it is to beunderstood that various modif cations and changes maybe made in theconstruction and arrangement of elements without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. r

I claim:

1. An anchor davit for effecting the retrieval and automatic release ofan anchor into and from in inboard position on a boat deck adjacent toan edge of the boat, comprising:

a pair of upright support members mounted in spaced parallel relation toone another on the boat deck;

a supporting shafl arranged for horizontal extension between saidsupport members in spaced relation above the boatdeck; V

anchor rope guide means being supported for horizontal extension betweensaid support members; 21

an anchorsocket disposed for rotation about said shaft for movementbetween an outboard position depending downwardly and outwardlyaway-from said shaft and an inboard position extending inwardly fromsaid shaft through an angle of rotation greater than 180;

I 7 said anchor'including an anchor line extending through said socketand, said rope, guide means for rearward extension toa control pointinwardly of said davit; and

biasing means including apressure-rmember engageable with said anchorsocket beginningwhen said anchor socket reaches an intermediate positionprojecting upwardly and outwardly-awayfrom said shah at an angleinclined slightly outwardly from a vertical line through the shaft tomove against thepressure member over a limited path of travelapproaching the inboard position of the anchor socket between itsinboard andoutboard positions with said anchor: socket having tree'travel. between said outboard and intermediate positions; said biasingmeans being operative to yieldingly resist. movement of said anchorsocket in a rearward direction while storing up tension in a directionto urge said socket forwardly i toward the outboard position uponreleasing said anchor control lines.

2. Ari anchor davit according to claim 1 said support members each beingin the form of a housing; and biasing means being disposed in atleastone of said housings with the inner v end of said biasing meanssecured to said supporting shaft, the opposite ends of said shah beingjoumaled in central apertures provided in each of said housings,and-means releasably engaging one end-of said shaft to fix said shaftagainst rotation with respect to said housings;

example may be positioned on the base-plate somewhat forwardly of andbelow'the' spring elements. Practical advantages and features of thealternate form of davit disclosedare that the spring force necessary toautomatically launch'the anchor can be developedover a relatively shortmovement so that the r anchor socket can freely rotate upwardly and notmove into engagement with the pressure element for the spring until itreaches a substantially vertical position, and the spring eleticularlyin the alternate forms shown in FIGS; 15 to 21 spring tension may bereadily adjustedby releasing the keeper and winding the inner end of thespring is a counterclockwise direction until the desired pressure isestablished. In this connection, it is-is desired to release all springtension on the anchor in the stored position, the keeperv pin may bereleased from the ratchet wheel toperrnit the springs to unwind andremove all tension from the pressure guide 105,

3. An anchor davit for effecting the retrieval and automatic release ofan anchor into and from an inboard position on a boat deck adjacent toan edge of the boat, comprising:

' a pair of upright support members mounted in spaced parallel relationto one another on the boat deck;

a supporting shaft arranged for horizontal extension between saidsupport members in spaced relation above the boat deck;

anchor rope guide means being supported for horizontal extension betweensaid support means; an anchor-socket disposed for rotation about saidshah for movement between an outboard position depending downwardly andoutwardly away from said shaft and an inboard position extendinginwardly from said shaft; said anchor including an anchor line extendingthrough said socket and said rope guide means for rearward extension toa control point inwardly of said davit; biasing means including apressure member engageable with said anchor socket over a limited pathof travel of the anchor socket between its inboard and outboardpositions, said biasing means being operative to yieldingly resist"movement "of said anchor socket in a rearward directionwhile storing uptension in a direction to urge said socket forwardly toward the outboardposition upon releasing said anchor control lines;

said support members each being in the form of a housing, and biasingmeans being disposed in at least one of said housings with the inner endof said biasing means secured to said supporting shaft, the oppositeends of said shaft being journaled in central apertures provided in eachof said housings, and means releasably engaging one end of said shaft tofix said shaft against rotation with respect to said housings, and

said pressure member being in the form of a transverse bearing memberhaving opposite ends disposed in arcuate slots formed in each of saidhousings to guide the movement of said pressure member as said anchorsocket is advanced between the inboard and outboard positions.

4. An anchor david according to claim 3, said biasing means beingprovided in each of said housings, each of said biasing means beingdefined by a torque spring extending spirally between one end of saidshaft and an end of said pressure member in each of said housings.

5. An anchor davit according to claim 4 wherein said releasable controlmeans for fixing said shaft against rotation is defined by a ratchetwheel at one end of said shaft and a pivotal keeper connected to one ofsaid housings for movement into engagement with said ratchet wheel tolock said shaft against rotation in a direction tending to release thetension of said biasing means.

6. An anchor davit according to claim 2, further including a common baseplate fastened to the boat deck, and each of said housing members havinginner and outer sidewall portions joined in spaced parallel relation toone another, each of said housing portions having a front substantiallyvertical peripheral edge and an upper peripheral edge curving rearwardlyand downwardly away from the upper extremity of said front verticaledge.

7. An anchor davit according to claim 6, in which the inner sidewalls ofeach of said housings are provided with aligned arcuate slots formedadjacent the upper peripheral edges of said housings in a circular pathabout said supporting shaft, and said pressure member having oppositeends guided for movement through said arcuate slots.

8. An anchor davit according to claim 7, said guide slots beingoperative to determine the forward and rearward end limits of movementof said pressure member.

9. An anchor davit according to claim 1, said anchor socket including anopen ended socket portion at its outer free end and an inner connectingend freely rotatable on said supporting shaft, said inner connecting endbeing inclined at an angle downwardly and away from the longitudinalaxis of said socket portion when said socket portion is in its outboardposition.

10. An anchor davit for effecting retrieval and automatic launching of aboat anchor from the bow of a boat, said davit comprising:

a base plate mounted on the deck of the boat and a pair of uprightsupport members mounted in spaced parallel relation to one another alongopposite longitudinal edges of said base plate and normal to the edge ofthe boat;

a supporting shaft extending horizontally between said support membersin spaced relation above the boat deck with opposite ends of said shaftjoumaled in central apertures provided in said support members;

means on one of said support members being releasably engageable withone end of said shaft to fix said shaft in a plurality of rotationallyadjusted positions;

an anchor socket being freely rotatable on said shaft for movement froman outboard position depending outwardly and downwardly away from saidshaft and an inboard position extending inwardly from said shaftsubstantially parallel to the boat deck through an angle of rotationgreater than 180; and

inclined slightly outwardly from a vertical line through the shaft tomove against the pressure member over a limited path of travelapproaching the inboard position of the socket between the inboard andoutboard positions. and at least one torque spring having its inner endsecured to said shaft and its outer end secured to said pressure memberto yieldingly resist movement of said anchor socket in the rearwarddirection while storing tension to urge said socket forwardly toward theoutboard position with said anchor socket having free travel betweensaid outboard and intermediate positions.

11. An anchor davit according to claim 10, said shaft con trol meansbeing releasable to permit rotation of said shaft to vary the tension insaid spring.

12. An anchor davit for effecting retrieval and automatic launching of aboat anchor from the bow of a boat, said davit comprising:

a base plate mounted on the deck of the boat and a pair of uprightsupport members mounted in spaced parallel relation to one another alongopposite longitudinal edges of said base plate and normal to the edge ofthe boat;

a supporting shaft extending horizontally between said support membersin spaced relation above the boat deck with opposite ends of said shaftjoumaled in central apertures provided in said support members;

means on one of said support members being releasably engageable withone end of said shaft to fix said shaft in a plurality of rotationallyadjusted positions;

an anchor socket being freely rotatable on said shaft for movement froman outboard position depending outwardly and downwardly away from saidshaft and an inboard position extending inwardly from said shaftsubstantially parallel to the boat deck;

resilient biasing means including a pressure member engageable with saidsocket over a limited path of travel between the inboard and outboardpositions, and at least one torque spring having its inner end securedto said shaft and its outer end secured to said pressure member toyieldingly resist movement of said anchor socket in the rearwarddirection while storing tension to urge said socket forwardly toward theoutboard position;

said shaft control means being releasable to permit rotation of saidshaft to very the tension in said spring; and

said shaft control means consisting of a slot through one end of saidshaft, a keeper pin insertable within said slot with the ends of saidpin extending transversely beyond the shaft, and at least one pair ofdiametrically opposed slots communicating with the support aperture ofsaid shaft adjacent the slotted end of the shaft, said slots being of asize to receive the transversely extending ends of the pin, said pair ofslots communicating with a pair of laterally en larged interior cavitiesand the ends of said pin being oriented within the enlarged cavities toreleasably fix said shaft against rotation.

13. An anchor davit according to claim 10, said shaft control meansbeing defined by a ratchet wheel fixed to one end of said shaft, and alatch member pivotal on one of said support members for releasablelocking engagement with said ratchet wheel.

14. An anchor davit according to claim 1 wherein said pressure memberhas a rope guide portion disposed above the socket in the outboardposition and movable with the pressure member to a location under thesocket in the inboard position.

1. An anchor davit for effecting the retrieval and automatic release ofan anchor into and from in inboard position on a boat deck adjacent toan edge of the boat, comprising: a pair of upright support membersmounted in spaced parallel relation to one another on the boat deck; asupporting shaft arranged for horizontal extension between said supportmembers in spaced relation above the boat deck; anchor rope guide meansbeing supported for horizontal extension between said support members;an anchor socket disposed for rotation about said shaft for movementbetween an outboard position depending downwardly and outwardly awayfrom said shaft and an inboard position extending inwardly from saidshaft through an angle of rotation greater than 180*; said anchorincluding an anchor line extending through said socket and said ropeguide means for rearward extension to a control point inwardly of saiddavit; and biasing means including a pressure member engageable withsaid anchor socket beginning when said anchor socket reaches anintermediate position projecting upwardly and outwardly away from saidshaft at an angle inclined slightly outwardly from a vertical linethrough the shaft to move against the pressure member over a limitedpath of travel approaching the inboard position of the anchor socketbetween its inboard and outboard positions with said anchor sockethaving free travel between said outboard and intermediate positions,said biasing means being operative to yieldingly resist movement of saidanchor socket in a rearward direction while storing up tension in adirection to urge said socket forwardly toward the outboard positionupon releasing said anchor control lines.
 2. An anchor davit accordingto claim 1, said support members each being in the form of a housing,and biasing Means being disposed in at least one of said housings withthe inner end of said biasing means secured to said supporting shaft,the opposite ends of said shaft being journaled in central aperturesprovided in each of said housings, and means releasably engaging one endof said shaft to fix said shaft against rotation with respect to saidhousings.
 3. An anchor davit for effecting the retrieval and automaticrelease of an anchor into and from an inboard position on a boat deckadjacent to an edge of the boat, comprising: a pair of upright supportmembers mounted in spaced parallel relation to one another on the boatdeck; a supporting shaft arranged for horizontal extension between saidsupport members in spaced relation above the boat deck; anchor ropeguide means being supported for horizontal extension between saidsupport means; an anchor socket disposed for rotation about said shaftfor movement between an outboard position depending downwardly andoutwardly away from said shaft and an inboard position extendinginwardly from said shaft; said anchor including an anchor line extendingthrough said socket and said rope guide means for rearward extension toa control point inwardly of said davit; biasing means including apressure member engageable with said anchor socket over a limited pathof travel of the anchor socket between its inboard and outboardpositions, said biasing means being operative to yieldingly resistmovement of said anchor socket in a rearward direction while storing uptension in a direction to urge said socket forwardly toward the outboardposition upon releasing said anchor control lines; said support memberseach being in the form of a housing, and biasing means being disposed inat least one of said housings with the inner end of said biasing meanssecured to said supporting shaft, the opposite ends of said shaft beingjournaled in central apertures provided in each of said housings, andmeans releasably engaging one end of said shaft to fix said shaftagainst rotation with respect to said housings, and said pressure memberbeing in the form of a transverse bearing member having opposite endsdisposed in arcuate slots formed in each of said housings to guide themovement of said pressure member as said anchor socket is advancedbetween the inboard and outboard positions.
 4. An anchor david accordingto claim 3, said biasing means being provided in each of said housings,each of said biasing means being defined by a torque spring extendingspirally between one end of said shaft and an end of said pressuremember in each of said housings.
 5. An anchor davit according to claim 4wherein said releasable control means for fixing said shaft againstrotation is defined by a ratchet wheel at one end of said shaft and apivotal keeper connected to one of said housings for movement intoengagement with said ratchet wheel to lock said shaft against rotationin a direction tending to release the tension of said biasing means. 6.An anchor davit according to claim 2, further including a common baseplate fastened to the boat deck, and each of said housing members havinginner and outer sidewall portions joined in spaced parallel relation toone another, each of said housing portions having a front substantiallyvertical peripheral edge and an upper peripheral edge curving rearwardlyand downwardly away from the upper extremity of said front verticaledge.
 7. An anchor davit according to claim 6, in which the innersidewalls of each of said housings are provided with aligned arcuateslots formed adjacent the upper peripheral edges of said housings in acircular path about said supporting shaft, and said pressure memberhaving opposite ends guided for movement through said arcuate slots. 8.An anchor davit according to claim 7, said guide slots being operativeto determine the forward and rearward end limits of movement of saidpressure member.
 9. An anchor davit according to claim 1, said anchoRsocket including an open ended socket portion at its outer free end andan inner connecting end freely rotatable on said supporting shaft, saidinner connecting end being inclined at an angle downwardly and away fromthe longitudinal axis of said socket portion when said socket portion isin its outboard position.
 10. An anchor davit for effecting retrievaland automatic launching of a boat anchor from the bow of a boat, saiddavit comprising: a base plate mounted on the deck of the boat and apair of upright support members mounted in spaced parallel relation toone another along opposite longitudinal edges of said base plate andnormal to the edge of the boat; a supporting shaft extendinghorizontally between said support members in spaced relation above theboat deck with opposite ends of said shaft journaled in centralapertures provided in said support members; means on one of said supportmembers being releasably engageable with one end of said shaft to fixsaid shaft in a plurality of rotationally adjusted positions; an anchorsocket being freely rotatable on said shaft for movement from anoutboard position depending outwardly and downwardly away from saidshaft and an inboard position extending inwardly from said shaftsubstantially parallel to the boat deck through an angle of rotationgreater than 180*; and resilient biasing means including a pressuremember engageable with said socket beginning when said anchor socketreaches an intermediate position projecting upwardly and outwardly awayfrom said shaft at an angle inclined slightly outwardly from a verticalline through the shaft to move against the pressure member over alimited path of travel approaching the inboard position of the socketbetween the inboard and outboard positions, and at least one torquespring having its inner end secured to said shaft and its outer endsecured to said pressure member to yieldingly resist movement of saidanchor socket in the rearward direction while storing tension to urgesaid socket forwardly toward the outboard position with said anchorsocket having free travel between said outboard and intermediatepositions.
 11. An anchor davit according to claim 10, said shaft controlmeans being releasable to permit rotation of said shaft to vary thetension in said spring.
 12. An anchor davit for effecting retrieval andautomatic launching of a boat anchor from the bow of a boat, said davitcomprising: a base plate mounted on the deck of the boat and a pair ofupright support members mounted in spaced parallel relation to oneanother along opposite longitudinal edges of said base plate and normalto the edge of the boat; a supporting shaft extending horizontallybetween said support members in spaced relation above the boat deck withopposite ends of said shaft journaled in central apertures provided insaid support members; means on one of said support members beingreleasably engageable with one end of said shaft to fix said shaft in aplurality of rotationally adjusted positions; an anchor socket beingfreely rotatable on said shaft for movement from an outboard positiondepending outwardly and downwardly away from said shaft and an inboardposition extending inwardly from said shaft substantially parallel tothe boat deck; resilient biasing means including a pressure memberengageable with said socket over a limited path of travel between theinboard and outboard positions, and at least one torque spring havingits inner end secured to said shaft and its outer end secured to saidpressure member to yieldingly resist movement of said anchor socket inthe rearward direction while storing tension to urge said socketforwardly toward the outboard position; said shaft control means beingreleasable to permit rotation of said shaft to very the tension in saidspring; and said shaft control means consisting of a slot through oneend of said shaft, a keeper pin insertable within said slot with theends of said piN extending transversely beyond the shaft, and at leastone pair of diametrically opposed slots communicating with the supportaperture of said shaft adjacent the slotted end of the shaft, said slotsbeing of a size to receive the transversely extending ends of the pin,said pair of slots communicating with a pair of laterally enlargedinterior cavities and the ends of said pin being oriented within theenlarged cavities to releasably fix said shaft against rotation.
 13. Ananchor davit according to claim 10, said shaft control means beingdefined by a ratchet wheel fixed to one end of said shaft, and a latchmember pivotal on one of said support members for releasable lockingengagement with said ratchet wheel.
 14. An anchor davit according toclaim 1 wherein said pressure member has a rope guide portion disposedabove the socket in the outboard position and movable with the pressuremember to a location under the socket in the inboard position.